Charging Bypass Circuit for High Voltage Regulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply apparatuses for high-frequency electron tubes face challenges in maintaining stable voltage supply when subjected to pulsed operations, leading to significant voltage drops due to large output impedance and long time constants, which necessitate increased capacitance, resulting in larger circuit sizes.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a charging bypass circuit and control system that quickly stabilizes the power supply voltage by bypassing the series regulator during voltage drops, using a rectifying circuit, series regulator, capacitor bank, and charging bypass control circuit to detect and respond to anode pulse signals or overvoltage conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If series regulator with series-connected transistors is used to generate power supply voltage, then voltage regulation function is achieved, but output impedance becomes large and response time becomes slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage regulation stabilityVSAvoidresponse speed to load variations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent paths: a series regulator path for normal voltage regulation and a charging bypass path for rapid response to load variations. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A charging bypass circuit is introduced as an intermediary path that activates during pulsed operations to supplement the series regulator. This bypass path provides a direct charging route for the capacitor bank, enabling rapid voltage stabilization without waiting for the series regulator's slow response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If capacitance of capacitor bank is increased to reduce voltage drop during pulsed operation, then voltage stability is improved, but device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stability during pulsed operationVSAvoidcapacitor bank size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging bypass circuit is dynamically controlled based on the operational state of the electron tube. During pulsed operations when rapid voltage stabilization is needed, the bypass circuit activates to provide additional charging current. During normal operations, the bypass circuit remains inactive, allowing the series regulator to maintain voltage regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A control circuit monitors the operational state of the electron tube and the voltage conditions, and automatically controls the charging bypass circuit's activation and deactivation. This feedback mechanism ensures the bypass circuit operates only when necessary, optimizing both voltage stability and system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for reduced voltage variation during pulsed operations without increasing capacitance, thereby maintaining stable power supply and reducing the overall size of the power supply apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

rectifying circuit 102 for rectifying an AC voltage output from the secondary winding of transformer 101

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Implementation Method 2

capacitor bank 104 having smoothing capacitors for stabilizing the helix voltage Ehel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP1862879B1High voltage linear regulator for an electron tube
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 NEC NETWORK & SENSOR SYST
  • EP1862879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1862879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1862879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power supply apparatus (100) has a series regulator (103) for generating a predetermined power supply voltage from a DC voltage output from the rectifying circuit, and a capacitor bank (104) of rectifying capacitors for stabilizing the power supply voltage. The power supply apparatus also has a charging bypass circuit (106) connected between input and output terminals of the series regulator (103) . The charging bypass circuit (106) is turned on or off by an externally supplied drive signal. When a drop of the power supply voltage is detected, the charging bypass circuit is turned on.